'We're gonna need him': Flames praise Markstrom after crucial win vs. Jets

The Calgary Flames couldn't have asked for a better bounce-back game from goaltender Jacob Markstrom during Wednesday night's vital 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

"He was great today," forward Andrew Mangiapane told reporters postgame. "He's been great down this stretch here, so we've got three more games. We're gonna need him for all three of those.

"He's a big part of our team, and I'm happy to see how he's playing right now."

Markstrom made 34 stops in the victory and saved 2.59 goals above expected while turning aside all nine of the high-danger shots he faced, according to Natural Stat Trick.

It's been a rough season for Markstrom, who was named a Vezina Trophy finalist last season.

The 33-year-old also manned the Flames' crease during Tuesday's difficult loss to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks, surrendering four goals on 23 shots.

Markstrom was happy to be singing a different tune one day later.

"(I was) obviously still pissed off from the other night (against Chicago)," he said. "I think that fed into it a little bit coming into this game - a little bit more emotions than usual. It was a great atmosphere and a big win, but we've gotta keep going here."

Wednesday's victory helps the Flames keep their playoff hopes alive amid a spirited battle for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Winnipeg and Calgary both have 89 points on the season, but the Jets have played one less game and own three more regulation wins.

Walker Duehr may have scored the eventual game-winner for the Flames, but he pointed to Markstrom as the most valuable player in the contest.

"He was huge, he bailed us out a handful of times," Duehr said. "You could say he won us the game for sure. He was amazing tonight."

Heading into the all-important showdown, Jets head coach Rick Bowness said the matchup would be "like a Game 7." Flames bench boss Darryl Sutter offered a more measured take after the final horn sounded.

"We're not in (the playoffs) yet. If we didn't win tonight, or if you lose in overtime or the shootout, that's a big swing, too," he said. "All we did was close the gap."

Sutter added, "The media and outside the room has been telling us it's the biggest game, or we're over, or how bad we are since the All-Star break, so, it's like I tell the players: Block it out and play the game."

Next up for the Flames is a clash with the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

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